Colonel Richard C. Rushmore, DDS

Colonel Richard C. Rushmore, DDS, passed away at Chester County Hospital peacefully on April 7, 2024.

Dick, as he was commonly known, was born September 14, 1924in Scranton, he was the son of the late Harold C. and Edith B. Rushmore. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jane Hagy Rushmore in1995. Dick was a graduate of Scranton Central High School in June of 1942.

He enlisted in the Army on April 10, 1943.  He attended SignalCorps Basic Training but was deemed too short to carry all the required equipment. Consequently, he became an Army Air cadet and attended Flight and Air Navigation training at Ellington Field in Texas. In June 1944, Dick was assigned to the 353rd Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) 5st Air Wing 15th Army Air Force at Foggia, Italy.  On his eight bombing mission, after successfully striking a railroad marshalling yard in Maribor, Yugoslavia, Dick’s B-17 G was hit by anti-aircraft flak.  Dick was wounded in the right shoulder from the flak. The flak caused a fire in the fuel transfer pumps, forcing Dick and his crew to parachute from the plane. After being rescued, Dick was placed in care of Tito’s Yugoslav Partisan Army and eventually smuggled to safety.  On his journey out of Nazi occupied Yugoslavia, Dick walked 48 days to the Adriatic Sea, where he boarded a British Royal Navy Cruiser, and returned to the 15th Air Force Headquarters in Bari, Italy. Dick returned to duty flying another 4 missions. At war’s end his crew was flying resupplying missions.

Colonel Rushmore’s career continued following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  He saw federal service during the Berlin Crisis at Fort Meade and Camp Pickett. He was the commanding officer of the 300th Field hospital in Wilkes-Barre and the 338th Medical Group of Philadelphia. He also commanded the 317th Medical Detachment Dental Service of Scranton.  Colonel Rushmore retired from the Army Reserve in 1984.  He was awarded the Legion of Merit, purpleheart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, European Campaign, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and the Army Air Force Navigator Badge. 

Dick was a Fellow in the International College of Dentists, Past President of the Scranton District Dental Society, and held memberships in the American Dental Association.  Dick had a private dental practice for 47 years, retiring in 1999.  Dick was an elder and Deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and Scoutmaster of Troop # 7. He was a member of the Scranton Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution, and sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Camp 8 – Scranton.

Surviving is his daughter Anne R. Gershey and husband John;  sons:  James H. Rushmore and wife Colleen, and Frederick C. Rushmore; five grandsons; and a granddaughter; a great-grandson;  and two great-granddaughters.

A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday May 1st, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.in Covenant Presbyterian Church  550 Madison Avenue  Scranton, PA    

Friends may call on Tuesday April 30, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Vanston & James funeral home 1401 Ash Street Scranton, PA.

Interment and military honors will be conducted at Hickory Grove Cemetery – Waverly Township, PA

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors in Memory of Richard C. Rushmore   P.O. Box 758517  Topeka, KS  66675

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